Website disclaimer

This website is presented by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for the purpose of disseminating information free of charge for the benefit of the public.

DFAT does not guarantee, and accepts no legal liability whatsoever arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any material contained on this website or on any linked site.

DFAT recommends that users exercise their own skill and care with respect to their use of this website and that users carefully evaluate the accuracy, currency, completeness and relevance of the material on the website or on any linked site.

The material on this website is a summary only of the subject matter covered and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Government or DFAT. It is not intended to be nor should it be relied on as a substitute for legal or other professional advice. Users should obtain any appropriate professional advice relevant to their particular circumstances.

The material on this website may include the views or recommendations of third parties, which do not necessarily reflect the views of DFAT, or indicate its commitment to a particular course of action.

Links

This website and social media profiles used by DFAT (as outlined below) contain links to other websites that are external to DFAT. DFAT has no direct control over the content of the linked sites, or the changes that may occur to the content on those sites. DFAT is not responsible for the content or reliability of links, or for any loss or inconvenience arising from their use Providing links to external websites does not constitute an endorsement or a recommendation of any material on those sites or of any third party products or services offered by, from or through those sites. Users of links provided by this website are responsible for being aware of which organisation is hosting the website they visit.

Security

DFAT applies a range of security controls to protect its website from unauthorised access. However, users should be aware that the internet is an insecure public network that gives rise to a potential risk that a user's transactions are being viewed, intercepted or modified by third parties or that files which the user downloads may contain computer viruses, disabling codes, worms or other devices or defects.

DFAT does not warrant or represent that the material will not cause damage, or is free from any computer virus or any other defects or errors. DFAT accepts no liability for any interference with or damage to a user's computer system, software or data occurring in connection with or relating to this website or its use. Users are encouraged to take appropriate and adequate precautions to ensure that whatever is selected from this site is free of viruses or other contamination that may interfere with or damage the user's computer system, software or data.

DFAT is not liable to users of the material for any loss or damage however caused resulting from the use of the material.

Inclusion of a name in the Consular List does not itself imply that the person is entitled to any particular privileges or immunities under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. Some listed persons may, for example, be affected by Article 71 of the Convention.

Social media disclaimer

DFAT uses a number of social media services to complement its traditional public outreach activities. These services include Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and social bookmarking and sharing buttons on DFAT’s websites. The number and nature of social media services used by DFAT will change over time. The following disclaimer applies to all social media services in use by DFAT at any given time, regardless of whether they are listed on this page.

Any content, views, opinions and/or responses to questions or views uploaded, expressed or submitted by the creators, sponsors, advertisers or users of social media services utilised by DFAT, other than the content provided by DFAT, are solely the views, opinions and responsibility of the person submitting them and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DFAT. DFAT is not responsible for content that third parties publish post, upload, distribute, disseminate or otherwise transmit via social media services.

Social media services may occasionally be unavailable and DFAT accepts no responsibility for lack of service due to downtime.

The Commonwealth of Australia, DFAT, its staff, agents and contractors, accept no liability whatsoever arising from or connected to the currency, accuracy or completeness of any material posted on social media sites and disclaims all responsibility for any loss or damage which may arise from the use of information provided via this vehicle.

DFAT recommends that users exercise their own skill and care with respect to their use of information or material posted on social media and that users carefully evaluate the accuracy, currency, completeness and relevance of the material contained on social media sites or any linked site.

Your privacy

Users are reminded that social media sites are public spaces on the internet and interactions are publicly viewable and searchable over time. Social media services provide their own disclaimers and policies on collection and use of visitor information, over which DFAT has no control. DFAT recommends users familiarise themselves with the terms of use of each social media site before use.

Due to privacy considerations it is not possible to comment on individual consular or passport cases via social media services. For consular assistance please phone the 24 hour consular emergency centre on 1300 555 135, or +612 6261 3305. For other enquiries please use the ‘Contact Us’ details on the DFAT website, the Smartraveller website and the Australian Passports Office website.

Replies

DFAT will not reply individually to comments and messages received via social media services. However, we will read all comments and make sure any emerging themes or helpful suggestions are passed on to the right people.

Comment moderation

Users must not post or upload any comments or links to DFAT-managed social media pages that are unlawful, or may defame, discriminate, offend, interfere with privacy or infringe copyright or other intellectual property rights. DFAT reserves the right to moderate comments and may remove any comments that, in DFAT’s opinion, are inappropriate.

Terms of Use

The Australian Government and social media services have strict guidelines on discrimination and intimidation. Therefore, DFAT takes a strong stance on deleting content which is discriminatory, hateful or threatening and actions which may offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate.

When contributing your views to DFAT social media services, please ensure that you:

do protect your personal privacy and that of others by not including personal information about yourself or others in your comments, (such as names, email addresses, private addresses or phone numbers)

do post material to the forum that is relevant to the issues being consulted on

do represent your own views and do not impersonate or falsely represent any other person

do not abuse, harass or threaten others

do not make defamatory or slanderous comments

do not use insulting, provocative or hateful language

do not use obscene or offensive language

do not post material to the forum that infringes the intellectual property rights of others

do not post multiple versions of the same view to the forum

do not incite, encourage or make reference to conduct that may constitute a criminal or civil offence or otherwise violate Australian law

do not promote commercial interests in your posts to the forum

do not post comments promoting personal professional interests

do not include internet addresses, videos, images or any email addresses, in your contribution

do not post overtly political comments (e.g. reference to candidates, fundraisers, support for political parties).

is likely to offend, insult or humiliate others, particularly on the basis of their race, colour, descent, national origin, religion, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation or any disability.

Moderation policy

DFAT‘s social media services comments and messages are ‘post-moderated’ in accordance with the Australian Government Information Office Web 2.0 guidelines. This means that comments will be published automatically and reviewed by DFAT after publication. While DFAT reviews public comments on a regular basis, there may be times when inappropriate or offensive posts or comments that do not meet the terms of use appear before they can be removed.

Where inappropriate material is identified it will be hidden from public view, however it will be retained in the DFAT system. Comments that violate the terms of use will be removed or not published. We will not edit comments.

DFAT does not undertake to inform users when their comments and posts are moderated, however we will warn and take appropriate action to suspend and expel users who regularly and consistently submit inappropriate content. Repeat offenders may be blocked from using DFAT's social media services indefinitely.

Links

Social media sites may contain links to websites external to DFAT. Links to external websites and social media profiles are provided as a convenience to users and such DFAT has no direct control over the content of the linked sites, or the changes that may occur to the content on those sites. DFAT is not responsible for the content or reliability of links, or for any loss or inconvenience arising from their use.

Providing links to external websites does not constitute an endorsement or a recommendation of any material on those sites or of any third party products or services offered by, from or through those sites. Users of links provided by this website are responsible for being aware of which organisation is hosting the website they visit.

Twitter

Twitter is a web-based group messaging service. DFAT has an account @dfat which is available to any user who wishes to follow. DFAT’s Twitter followers can access updates from mobile devices.

DFAT’s Twitter feed is intended to provide the public with updates on DFAT related issues such as Australia's foreign and trade policies, breaking news and media releases, key speeches, recruitment information, announcements of upcoming events and publications. Travel updates are @smartraveller.

If you follow DFAT on Twitter, DFAT will not automatically follow you back.

Friend requests

Facebook

Facebook is a social networking site which allows users to connect with individuals and institutions with similar interests. Australian posts overseas may establish Facebook accounts to provide news and information about Australia’s foreign and trade policies, and public diplomacy events held in-country, and to ensure timely delivery of consular and passport messages to Australian citizens travelling or living abroad.

Social bookmarking and sharing

DFAT uses social bookmarking and sharing buttons on a number of its websites. These buttons enable visitors to easily share content on DFAT’s websites via social media services such as Twitter and Facebook or bookmark content through social bookmarking services such as StumbleUpon and Digg.